Gender Affirming Mental Health Assessments and Letters

We are proud to provide gender-affirming care letters for trans and gender-diverse clients at Same Time Next Week? Counseling & Consultation here in Fort Worth, Texas!

We hate gatekeeping as much as you do!

The World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) requires letters of support for gender-affirming surgery (AKA gender confirmation surgery or gender affirmation surgery) to ensure that patients are appropriate and prepared for their upcoming surgery.

Please be aware some insurance companies/plans have additional requirements, outside the published Standards of Care (SOC). We recommend verifying letter requirements with your specific insurance plan.

*Please note that WPATH Standards of Care state that the patient should be the age of majority (18 years of age in the US) for surgery coverage. It is very uncommon for a minor to have this procedure approved.*

How Does it Work?

We want to make this easy on you. For a gender-affirming medical care letter, you’ll set an appointment with one of our therapists. They will ask you about your history and your goals.

Our therapists are trained to write letters according to current WPATH guidelines.

Do I Need Ongoing Therapy?

We don’t assume that everyone who experiences gender dysphoria requires ongoing therapy. Certainly, if you are interested in a therapy relationship, we have openings and will be glad to help you work towards your goals. Some people experience anxiety, depression, substance use/abuse, relationship concerns, or have a trauma history, and we believe that counseling can help with those concerns. It can also be helpful to have a therapist who understands your struggles to provide ongoing support.

You may already have a therapist who doesn’t specialize in gender-affirming care letters, and we’ll respect that relationship. Or you may be someone who would benefit from gender-affirming medical care, already has a support network, already has coping skills, and just wants the letter to pursue your goals.

Will My Insurance Cover the Gender-Affirming Surgery Letter?

Unfortunately, no. However, we can provide you what is known as a superbill for you to provide to your insurance company for possible reimbursement.

Cost for transgender care letter and evaluation: A 50-minute assessment, with letters provided, costs $350.

Do You Know What I’m Going Through?

A resounding YES!

We are queerly owned and operated, and are proud to serve our fellow LGBTQIA+ community members.

When Will I Receive My Letter of Support?

If you meet the criteria, your letter will be sent to you by email within 5 business days of your assessment.

If My Medical Provider Will Not Accept My Letter of Support, Can You Make Any Revisions?

Yes. However, we can only make minor revisions to our letter as it contains all the required information per the World Professional Association of Transgender Health (WPATH) standards of care. While you are certainly not obligated to provide specifics about your medical condition, we can add details upon your request. You are welcome to contact our Records Department with any of these requests.

Will my letter ever expire?

Yes! Your letter is only valid for 1 (one) year from the date of your assessment. If it expires you will need to be reassessed and will be required to pay the assessment fee ($350) again.

Will I Be Under the Care of a Therapist?

No. An assessment is an objective, clinical evaluation, not an on-going therapeutic relationship. We welcome you to continue individual therapy beyond the assessment if you determine it would be beneficial.

Can I Schedule a Gender-Affirming Mental Health Assessment if I Reside Out of State?

No. Since mental health licenses are state-based, our clinicians are only licensed to practice within the state of Texas. You must be a resident of Texas and be physically within state lines during the assessment. This applies even if your assessment occurs virtually.

Interested in regular therapy, not just a one-time assessment and letter? Read more about our practice, our therapists, what we treat, and contact us today!

When you are ready to address your concerns related to these and many other related mental health issues, please contact the counselors at Same Time Next Week? Counseling & Consultation, PLLC. We have counselors with immediate openings and are ready to help.